By Spencer Sterritt

Van Isle Construction Association trying to prevent fatal on-site overdoses

Nov 28, 2017 | 12:59 PM

NANAIMO — Given the high risk of fatal overdoses among the construction workers they represent, the Vancouver Island Construction Association is looking for ways to make sure no one dies on the job site.

Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, said the demographics of construction workers neatly align with those most at risk for a fatal overdose – men aged 19 to 55.

“We felt, to provide some education and awareness, this will reach out and touch them in a personal way,” he said. “We can provide some tools, some information that can help them, whether it’s understanding what the epidemic is or how to use Naloxone if you have to.”

Given how much construction happened in downtown Nanaimo, Kulmala said it was important to train local construction workers in administering Naloxone if they come upon an overdose.

The workshop in Nanaimo is the last of many across the mid-Island in collaboration with Island Health.

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Mid-island medical health officer Dr. Paul Hasselback said since many of the men within the at-risk age bracket are no longer in educational settings where outreach is much easier, directly targeted workshops in collaboration with unions and associations is the best way to have necessary conversations.

“Informal communication about what’s happening, what’s at risk, lets talk about drugs, lets talk about what’s safe and unsafe, even if it’s not happening in the work space,” Hasselback said. “We’re not seeing a lot of work site activity, but we’re certainly seeing it in the residences people are going home to.”

By promoting and giving out Naloxone kits to construction crews as well, Hasselback said they’re one step closer to having the overdose prevention tool included as a regular part of first aid kits.

“We’re not there yet, but I think this sort of work provides that initial education, that necessary knowledge, so occupational safety officers who are on site are able to respond to a situation should one occur.”

The construction association said there were no fatal overdoses on construction sites so far in 2017.

Kulmala added though the demographics are the same, the overdose crisis hasn’t impacted the construction industry.

“I think that’s a bit of a stretch to draw in a linear way, though we do acknowledge there’s a social crisis. We haven’t seen a direct impact on construction sites. If people think there’s been casualties on construction sites, I haven’t heard of them on the Island.”

By the end of September this year, 38 people fatally overdosed in Nanaimo, 10 more than 2016’s final death toll.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit